This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)

Not only does Milan have little-known gardens that are hidden in noble houses, but there are also spaces open to everyone: one of these is on Via De Amicis 17. Right inside, there’s a trapeze-shaped courtyard that was once part of the Convent of Santa Maria della Vittoria.
Going further, visitors can get to a cloister which leads into a garden with the remains of the Arena dating back to the Roman era (I AD) – a little archaeological park in the heart of the city!

Restoration works have already started, in order to bring back to life what remains of such a great relic of the ancient past – its estimated size should be around 5 acres.
The first excavations date back to 1930, but only 40 years later the elliptical shape of the arena became clearly visible. It’s about 508-ft long and 410-ft wide, some 98 ft high and could accommodate up to 35.000 spectators. It used to be covered as the Colosseum and a little smaller than the Arena di Verona.
It was destroyed around the V century, sacked and then demolished to build other structures.
Some remains, stone frames, and capitals can be still seen in the Basilica of S Lorenzo.

The reconstruction project involves just trees and shrubs which will be able to restore the original impressive beauty of the arena. Eventually, visitors will be able to take a leisure walk on the very ground which used to be trampled by fearless gladiators and wild beasts, as well as being used to stage the spectacular naval battles (Naumachias) of the ancient Romans. As a matter of fact, right under the area runs the Vettabbia canal which was used to flood the entire Amphitheater for such scenographic reasons.

In the Antiquarium of the amphitheater, dedicated to the archaeologist Alda Levi, there is the stele erected in III A.D. in honor of the gladiator who died at the age of 22, when Milan was the capital of the Western Roman Empire.

Nobody would expect such a peaceful and silent garden to be so rich in ancient history, national heritage, and true sensations!

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)